A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs to individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for patients with diabetes are on the decline. Concern arises from the potential risk of shortages for these important treatments, which are known for their effectiveness in managing blood sugar and aiding weight loss.
GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. However, since the FDA’s approval of Wegovy for weight reduction in 2021, there has been a notable shift. Research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other organizations indicates that the percentage of new GLP-1 prescriptions for those with type 2 diabetes has decreased from nearly 90% to above 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, prescriptions for individuals without diabetes have surged from 10% to 25% during the same period.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, emphasized the significance of this shift, stating that more healthcare providers are recognizing the value of these medications in obesity treatment, a pressing public health issue. However, this trend raises important questions about ensuring continued access to these treatments for patients who need them most.
The surge in popularity of GLP-1 drugs is evident as they are now being prescribed for their appetite-suppressant effects, with users reporting weight losses of up to 26%. The high demand for these medications has elevated both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the pinnacle of the pharmaceutical industry in terms of market value. Despite their efforts to scale production, some patients are still facing difficulties in obtaining their prescriptions.
Looking forward, analysts from Morgan Stanley predict the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach an astonishing $105 billion by 2030, with approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S. projected to use these medications by 2035. This significant growth underscores the importance of ensuring that patients with diabetes retain access to these life-enhancing treatments while adapting to the evolving landscape of prescription usage.
This study highlights a notable trend in the healthcare field—one that reinforces the urgent need for ongoing dialogue about drug accessibility and the responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies to ensure that all patients receive the necessary care. As society continues to grapple with rising obesity rates and diabetes, the hope lies in the potential for these medications to improve overall health outcomes when managed wisely.